Indigenous forestry

New Zealand's native forests have economic, environmental, cultural and recreational value. Although most of New Zealand's indigenous forests are on conservation land, a significant portion is privately-owned. Find out about indigenous forestry and how it's managed.

Quick facts

There are 6.4 million hectares of native forest in New Zealand.

5.2 million hectares – about 24% of our total land area – is protected conservation land.

1.2 million hectares of indigenous forestry land is privately owned.

About a third of privately-owned indigenous forestry is suitable for sustainable harvesting.

Sustainable management of forests

Management systems must ensure forests can continue to provide a full range of products and amenities while retaining their natural values.

Harvest rates must be set at sustainable levels.

Forests' unique plant and animal life, and their ability to replenish through natural means, must be protected through control of pests and weeds, protection of the soil and maintenance of water quality.

All work must be done in line with the Forests Act 1949 and its relevant amendments.

The Forests Act

The harvesting, milling and exporting of indigenous timber is managed under the Forests Act 1949. Under the Act, native timber can only be taken from forests in a way that maintains forest cover and ecological balance.

Part 3A of the Act discourages unsustainable harvesting and clearance of private indigenous forests and provides for their sustainable management. It gives owners options for managing their forests to harvest and mill timber. It also places controls on the milling and exporting of indigenous timber.